Keying mechanism



l www R. R. sMEssAER-rl KEYING MECHANISM Filed oct. 1. 1941 Aug; 1, v1944.

RAYNOND R. SMESSERT Patented Aug. 1, 1944 KEYING ME-CHANISM Raymond R. Smessaert, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Teletype Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a lcorporation of Delaware Application'october 1, 1941, Serial No. 413,081

` (ol. zoo-5) 12 Claims The present invention relates to manually operable keyboards and more particularlyvto indicator mechanisms Which are mechanically operated in association therewith.

The principal object of the present yinvention is to provide a keyboard mechanism comprised of decimal units each consisting of'keyboard shifting apparatus responsive'to the operation of either of a pair of key members and correspondingly effective to display either of a pair of visual index devices and to close transmitter contacts.

In its fundamental concept, the present invention concerns itself with mechanical keyboard apparatus in which a set of key bars individually depressible is made to slidably actuate various sets of transversely disposed operating bars. Of these, one set of bars is so designed that each bar of the set is shiftable in one direction or another by two of the manually operated key bars and it, in turn, is made to shift one or another of a pair of index tablets into visual position, they being normally retained in concealment. When a keyboard is conditioned for signal transmission, a key top in yeach decimal section hasbeen set, and an operator may, upon viewing the alignment'of tablets brought into vision, determine the plO- priety of the signal before releasing the trans-Y mittel` apparatus by initiation of astart key.y

In addition to the afore-described mechanical result of operating the key tops of each decimal set, means is also provided in association with each of the decimal units whereby a pair of contacts individual'to each integer is closed as a result of the depression of said key tops and a common pair of contacts is closed upon the depression of any key top of a. decimal set.` Furthermore; as

, a result of the actuation of any key top another the display position assumed by any one lof the tablets as a result of a key top operation. In ad:-`

dition to the tablet shifting mechanism, a set of code combination slidable bars is provided which set is moved permutably to close` transmittercontacts that prepare circuits for the transmission of corresponding code combination signals thaty are ultimately used for the operation of printing telegraph apparatus after the manner disclosed and described in copending application of J E. Wack et al., Serial No. 345,260, filed July 13, 1940.

With the foregoing recited and other objects in view, the present invention is described with drawing in which like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout and in Which- Fig. lis a plan view of a portion of a decimal keyboard section with parts broken away to reveal the interior structure;

` Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a keyboard section with portions broken away;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional View taken approximately on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detailed perspective View of certain elements of the structure featured in the foregoing figures illustrating essential elements of the invention; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse fragmentary View partly broken away of a keyyshaft and an electrical contact member adjacent thereto.

Referring now more particularly to the illustrations in the accompanying drawing, the reference character H represents a face plate of a keyboard decimal section in which there is provided a visual index opening or sight I2 and which is secured at opposite ends as at I3 to a channelshaped defining element I4 therebetween outlining a rectangular interior within which the entire keyboard mechanism of a decimal section is contained. The key bars of a section, being ten in number, are designated by the integer markings from l to 0, inclusive, imprinted upon the upper surface of their key tops I5. To confine the key bars to vertical parallel motion, each key bar member consists of a sheet metal stamping outlined as best indicated inFig. 4, with a paral-v lelly sided uppermost portion I6 that is confined within' a closely defining slot in the cover plate I I and a similar parallelly sided portion Il that is correspondingly confined in an appropriate slot of an intermediately supported platform I8.

Each key bar is provided with an integrally formed transverse camming blade I9 of such width that its lowermos't edge overlies a setof four code combination bars 2| through 24, a contact closing and latch bar,26, see also Fig. 4, and five index control bars 21, 28, 29, 3|, and 32. The outline of an index shifting bar is typified by the foremost bar 32 which is visible in Fig. 2. This element is supported for limited longitudinal slidable movement upon a pair of horizontal shoulder screws 33 and 34 each of which extends particularity in the following specification andl through the elongated slots 35 and y36 of said bars. Normally, bars 21 to 32 are in an intermediate position with the screws located centrally of said slots so that 'the bars 21 through 32 may be shifted either rightwardly or leftwardly. In addition, each bar is provided with a pair of inclined sur face projections as at 3l' and 38, Fig. 2, located just beneath its associated pair of key bars and particularly in alignment with the camming blade I9 integrally formed therewith. Thus, of a pair of key bars representing the integers numbered 3 and 4, as illustrated in Fig. 4, the engagement ol the camming blade I9 of key bar number 3 will move its associated index control bar leftwardly and the corresponding actuation of a key bar for the number 4 integer will move said index bar rightwardly.

In Fig. 2 there is illustrated at 39 a plurality of expansible coil springs, each one associated with one of the index shifting bars 21 to 32. These springs are of mild force and they are designed to tend to lift said bars upwardly and leftwardly as viewed in Fig. 2 (upwardly and rightwardly as viewed in Fig. 4) in order to overcome the gravitational effects of said bars, they being supported in an inclined position, as illustrated in Fig. 4, during normal usage.

At the left extremity of said bars, each one is provided with a pair of short stud pins 4| and 42 for engaging associated ones of a pair of index plate shifting arms 43 and 44, respectively. Arms 43 are biased in a counterclockwise direction by individually associated springs 45 which urge them counterclockwise about the common pivot screw 46 as the center. correspondingly, individual springs 4'! acting upon arms 44 impart a clockwise rotation about their respective common pivot 48. Accordingly, when bar 32, or any of its corresponding elements, is shifted leitwardly, pin 42 will engage with arm 44 and will rock the latter member about its pivot 48 in a counterclockwise direction against the influence of its individual spring 4l shifting its free extremity from the position designated by the foremost arm 44, Fig. 2, to that designated by the nethermost shifting arm 440.

On the other hand, when said shifting bar is shifted rightwardly, its pin 4| will enga-ge arm 43 and rotate the latter member clockwise about pivot 46 moving the free end a corresponding distance in the opposite direction. It will be recalled that the shifting of any of the bars 21 to 32 rightwardly or leftwardly is under the control of a corresponding pair of key tops such as the ones designated number 3 and number 4 in Fig. 4. Upon the release of either key top, following its depression, its own return is influenced by an individual return spring 49, Fig. 4, which is confined under compression between the intermediate common plate i9 and the sidewardly extending formation of the key bars. A thin narrow section, integrally formed and extending downwardly from portion 5| and connected to the transverse camming blade |9 of each key bar, is disposed in each spring 49 so that the latter is guided thereby and maintained in alignment during the depression of any one of the key tops |5.

The free ends of the shifting levers 43 and 44 are connected through disc and socket articulations as at 52, Fig. 2, with the index tablets 53 and 54, respectively, the former being a set iive in number and nested one over and around the other one as best indicated in Fig. 3 and the latter being a similar group similarly nested but disposed to the right of the group 53 with an intermediate space between them as viewed in Fig. 2. In accordance with the arrangement, all of the odd number integers 1, 3, 5, etc., are represented by index tablets 53 on the left while the remaining integers, namely, those of even numbers 2,4, 6, etc., are grouped under the number 54 at the right. Corresponding pairs of tablets, 1 and 2., 3 and 4, etc., are located in the same relative plane and when either tablet of a pair is shifted to the intermediate position, as represented by the central tablet, Fig. 2, to which the posterior arm 440 is connected, the other tablet of said pair constitutes a stop so that the shifted tablet will not overrun the intermediate position.

When moved to the intermediate position whereat any tablet comes into range of vision on account of the cut-out window 2, it is located over an illuminating device 55 and a light diffusing glass plate 56. Since the characters on tablets 53 and 54 are represented by a stencil cutout as best indicated in Fig. 4, the diffused light. which is visible through the character cut-out of the tablet, will be silhouetted to show the corresponding Arabic integer. In order to maintain suitable alignment for all of the character tablets in their nested groupings, trackways have been provided which are comprised of a number of parallel bars 51, Fig. 3, supported in spaced relationship each with respect to the other, and Within these spacings the overhanging long aprons 58 of the tablets 53 and 54 are permitted to slide. The short apron sections 59, Fig. 3, are permitted to overlie each other contiguously with no spacing elements intervening.

As explained in the referred-to copending application, the keyboard mechanism herein illustrated is adapted to exercise control over two alarm information disseminating systems, and hence is designed to originate two different types of telegraph signals. In the foregoing description, there is explained the apparatus which responds to the manipulation of each keyboard section for the purpose of operating indicators to designate more clearly, than might be learned by observing the depressed key lever itself, the nature of a signal which is set up in a keyboard. This is obtained by interposing one of the tablets 53 or 54 in front of the visual sight I2 and lighting the index lamp 55 so that diffused light through the glass 56 will make the character outline of the tablet 53 or 54 visible.

As a result of the operation of any key bar by the depression of its key top |5, its lowermost transverse camming blade I9 acts upon the index operating bars 21 to 32, the code combination bars 2| through 24, and also upon a special bar 26, the details of which are best illustrated in Fig. 4. Bar 26 is supported as are the rest of the bars of the unit upon the horizontally extending supporting screws 33 and 34 so that this bar, as well, is confined to horizontal parallel motion. Opposite each key bar, the special bar 26 is provided with an integral latching projection 6| consisting of an overhanging shoulder portion 62 and a cam surface 63. When the foremost extremity of any camming blade I9 engages the cam surface 63, it causes bar 26 to be moved leftwardly, as viewed in Fig. 4, against the tendency of the bar return spring 64. The camming blade |9 continues downwardly until it passes beyond the latohing shoulder 62 whereupon bar 26 returns to a slight extent so that its shoulder 62 overlies the bar I9 and prevents the return of the depressed key bar.

Upon the operation of another key bar in any section where a. key bar has already been depressed before signal transmission is initiated, the engagement of such other key bars horizontal edge |9 with the cam surface 63 of another cation, Walter J. Zenner, Serialy No. 413,079, each key bar is provided with a contact actuating projection 65 alongside of which there' is mounted a contact pair 66 secured to a mounting ypanel 61.

As a key bar 'is depressed, its projecting Yportion 65 engages a resilient member 60 (Fig. 5) which is mounted in such a manner'that the upper end is free to move upon the application of pressure thereon. The resilient member 60 will move in a clockwise direction, as vviewed in Fig. 5, and in return will engage an insulated portion at the top of one of the electrical rcontact arms. The contact arm, being resilient, will likewise move in a clockwisedirection, as viewed .in Fig. 5, causing contact points -10 to-come together. This establishes a circuit which is characteristic of the particular integer of the decimal positions represented by the keyboard section.

In addition to this, bar 26, which is common to all of the key bars and shiftable longitudinally concurrently with the depression of any one of them due to the engagement of one of the key bar portions I9 with its cam surface 63, in moving leftwardly against tendency of its spring 64 withdraws a projection 69 which had been resting against the insulation tablet 1| of a pair of tandem contact sets 12 and 13 and thus holds them ajar. The receding of bar 26 thus permits contact pairs 12 and 13 to close. The former pair 12 is connected in series with a circuit for lighting the index illumination element 55 of the particular keyboard section while the latter contact pair 13 prepares a circuit for releasing the gong transmitter as explained in said concurrently led application.

It is to be understood that keyboard sections of the type illustrated on the accompanying drawing and explained in the foregoing specification are but component portions of a complete keyboard unit and that a number of such sections are intended to be composited into a signal transmitting keyboard with the number of such sections corresponding to the number of total decimal integers of which the transmitted messages are to be comprised. Moreover, the keyboard apparatus in addition to consisting of these individual sections, may be provided with other keying members such as a motor start switch for initiating power at remotely located supervisory apparatus as well as transmission start key for initiating the transmission of a message after the keys in each section have been depressed in accordance with a message. Before the start key is actuated, however, an operator may, by viewing the several index openings I2 which are aligned transversely across the keyboard, determine the propriety of the signal which has been prepared. In the event that an error is discovered, the proper key of any one or more of the sections may be depressed and in so doing the erroneously operated key will be released and the correction immediately instituted preparatory for transmission. Once the start key has been .initiated, however, signal transmission will begin and the control will beout of the keyboard operators disposition until the particular message-has been completed.

, While the present invention has been explained and described with reference to a particular embodiment, it is to be understood nevertheless that numerous changes and modifications may be incorporated without departure from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, it is not intended 'to be restricted by the specific details illustrated in the accompanying drawing, nor by the particular language employed in the foregoing specification, except as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an electric signaling system, a keying section comprising a series of index ,plates representing a corresponding series of characters, ya series of keys each corresponding with one of said characters, and a common motion transmitting medium actuated by either of a pair of keys of said series of keys yfor moving either of a pair of index plates of said series of index plates.

2. In a. keyboard apparatus, a keying section comprising a pair of index plates, a pair of keys, and a motion transmitting medium actuated by either one of said pair of keys for moving either one of said pair of index plates.

3. In combination keyboard and display apparatus comprising, a set of key bars each representing an individual character, a set of indicators each representing a corresponding one of a series of characters, and means common to a plurality of said key bars for actuating a correspondingly related one of said indicators.

4. In a combined keyboard and display apparatus, a series of key bars each representing an individual character, a series of display elements each identied with one of said series of key bars, and means common to a plurality of said key bars for actuating a correspondingly related one of said display elements.

5. In an integer section of a multiple decimal keyboard, the combination comprising a series of key bars each corresponding to an integer of a decimal series, a series of integer indexes each representing an integer of said series, an element shiftable in two directions and responsive to one key of said series for shifting one of said series of indexes into display position, and to another key of said series for shifting another index of said series into display position.

6. In a keyboard, a series of key bars each corresponding to an integer, a series of indexes each representing an integer, an element under the control of one key of said series for displaying one of said series of indexes, and under control of another key of said series for displaying another index of said series.

7. In a keyboard apparatus for the signal transmission of messages comprised of a constant number of component integers, the combination including a keyboard section having a set of integer key bars relating to the numerical series from one to zero, a set of integer indexes associated with said section, one of said integer indexes being individual to each of said integer key bars, means operable upon the depression of a key bar for moving a corresponding index into display position whereby the numeral on said in-` dex may be visually observed to identify said depressed key bar, a pair of contacts individually associated with each key bar and operable upon the depression thereof, and a common contact operated upon the operation of any key' bar of said section.

8. In a. keyboard apparatus, a keyboard section having a set of integer members, a plurality of integer indexes associated with said members, one of said integer indexes being individual to each of said integer members, mechanical means responsive to the operation of a member for moving its corresponding index into display position whereby the numeral on said index may be Visually observed to identify said moved member, a pair of contacts individually associated with each member and operable upon the depression thereof, and a common contact operated upon the operation of any member of said keyboard section.

9. In an index apparatus, two sets of channel shaped index elements with the elements of each set one larger than the other so as to nest one over the other and corresponding elements of both sets in lateral alignment, and a common member associated with corresponding elements of both sets and operative upon each independently according to its direction of movement.

10. In a keyboard apparatus, a plurality of manually operable keys, a camming blade forming the bottom of each of said keys, a plurality of bars each having a surface to be engaged by the camming blade on a corresponding key when said key is depressed, a plurality of arms, means on said bars to actuate said arms upon the depression of a. corresponding key, and a tablet to identify each key at the top of each of said arms which is moved into viewing position when the arm is actuated by a corresponding bar.

11. In a keyboard apparatus, a plurality of manually operable keys, a camming blade forming the bottom of each of said keys, a plurality of bars each having a surface to be engaged by the camming blade on a corresponding key when said key is depressed, a plurality of arms, means on said bars t0 actuate said arms upon the depression of a corresponding key, and a locking bar which holds the key in a depressed position until another key is depressed.

12. In a keyboard apparatus, a plurality of manually operable keys, a camming blade form ing the bottom ofeach of said keys, a plurality of bars each having a surface to be engaged by the camming blade on a corresponding key when said key is depressed, a plurality of arms, means on said bars to actuate said arms upon the depression of a corresponding key, and a locking bar having a surface thereon which is actuated by the comming blade on the bottom of any key upon its depression and which locks the camming blade and holds the key in a depressed position until another key is depressed.

RAYMOND R. SMESSAERT. 

